Potential Patriots draftees: Cam Jordan

Cam Jordan, 6-4, 287DL, California
The Skinny: Possibly the most versatile of all the 3-4 defensive end prospects, Jordan is a smart, engaging, unique player whose dad Steve was a six-time Pro Bowl tight end for the Minnesota Vikings. He and Wisconsin's J.J. Watt are seen most often as the best fits for the Patriots' most pressing need - a suitable replacement for Richard Seymour. Bill Belichick has spoken of how rare it is to find the guy who's 6-5, 270 and runs 4.7. Here's one that's 6-4, 290 that can do that. And he's smart as hell.

Gotta Have Him: Let Wes Bunting at the National Football Post explain. "I can't think of a better fit for the Patriots. With what they do and the versatility of this guy? He can handle a lot of volume. If you have to go to nickel situations or pass rush situations, you can play him as a (five-technique off the outside shoulder of the tackle). But he could kick to the (3-technique between the guard and the tackle) and with more teams going to one down lineman, at 6-4, 290 he can stand up and run off the edge. You ask a running back to help in blitz pickup on that? He'll get mauled. I can't give you a straight-up answer on who he reminds me of. There's not that many who can do what he does at his size. I almost fell out of my chair when he had a 4.7 at the Combine."
Don't Need Him: Well, he's got a bit of a quirky Cal personality. Football isn't life or death -- or at least there's room for a sense of humor in it -- so maybe he gets downgraded for being too light about things. And if the Patriots want a pure pass rusher, it's not him. But those are small flaws.

Forecast: Bunting has him going to the Patriots at 17. Others have Watt going to the Patriots and Jordan going to San Diego. It's a close race between those two positionally. Bunting says that Jordan's versatility and the fact he's just a little bit better anchored because he's a smidge shorter makes him more enticing. If Jordan doesn't go 10 to Washington and is on the board when the Patriots pick at 17, it would be eye-opening if they passed on him.
Patriots Draftability: 9

He didn’t land in New England, but he didn’t too badly, winding up with the usually competitive Ravens.

On a Thursday conference call with New England media, Weddle confirmed that there was mutual interest expressed.

“Obviously, I was interested,” he acknowledged. “I have nothing but high regard, respect and admiration – and envy, quite honestly – of the success of the New England Patriots over the years. Obviously, battling them in my career, it’s always been a great game. I love the way they play, love the foundation, love everything about it. It was definitely on my radar. There were talks both ways, it just didn’t end up [working out].”

The numbers massed at the position with Patrick Chung, Devin McCourty and Duron Harmon played a role in the two sides not being able to reach accord, according to Weddle.

“I’m good buddies with Patrick Chung,” he said. “I grew up playing with him and Devin [McCourty] is one of the best to play, so I don’t know if it would have worked out personnel-wise. But obviously, I could have seen myself fitting in there seamlessly.”

Weddle’s New England attraction apparently wasn’t love that bloomed late in his career. Toward the end of his conference call, Weddle said, “I’m still wondering why they just didn’t draft me in ’07; I could have been still playing there now.”

As reporters puzzled for a moment trying to recall the 2007 first-rounder, Weddle chipped in with the answer: “[They took] Brandon Meriweather.”

More importantly around here, the Patriots now are in position to win out and claim the AFC’s No. 1 seed.

Prior to the Raiders loss, Oakland would have been the top seed if both they and the Patriots won out. Now, the 10-2 Patriots have a leg up on the rest of the conference. The Raiders’ road stays tough. They are at San Diego and Denver and host the Colts.

The Chiefs have a more favorable close to the season with home games against Tennessee and Denver before their season finale at San Diego.

The Patriots’ road over the final four is no picnic though, beginning with the Ravens and at Denver before the last two hosting the Jets and traveling to Miami.